AFTER THOUGHTS 289 



These should be of lath, nailed in squares, with strips 

 crossing from corner to corner, to stiffen them, as well 

 as to form a support for the vines trained over them. 

 Fasten one side of the frame to the top of the door or 

 window frame, and support it by running strips from 

 each side of the door or window frame to the front cor- 

 ners. Let these strips for supports be long enough to 

 throw the front of the framework of lath out well from 

 the window, but not long enough to make it anywhere 

 near level when put in place. When covered with flow- 

 ering vines the effect will be very satisfactory. These 

 homemade awnings can be used in combination with 

 window boxes, at second story windows. Care must be 

 taken to give the framework slant enough to properly 

 shade the window. 



I frequently get complaints from parties who have 

 been victimized by the "tree peddler." They tell me 

 about buying a Rose which was to bear "seven colors on 

 the same bush," or perhaps a "blue Rose," or a "Va- 

 nilla Plant" which was wonderfully fragrant when first 

 bought, but soon lost its sweetness. The only way to 

 prevent being imposed on by these unprincipled persons 

 is to refuse to buy of them. Send your orders to some 

 dealer in whom you have confidence. Then you won't 

 get cheated. 



I have been asked to give a sort of unfailing recipe 

 for a "rockery." I can give one which will be satis- 

 factory, always: Don't have any. The fact is, we 

 can't make rockeries that are not monstrosities. Nature 

 has the patent on them. You may pile up a lot of stone 

 in the yard or on the lawn and call it a rockery. But 

 that doesn't make it so in the true sense. It is nothing 

 more or less than a heap of stones, and a burlesque on 

 nature's work. The only way in which you will ever be 



